Well drilling device



Oct. 1, 1935 Q BANNISTER 2,016,066

WELL DRILLING DEVICE Filed Nov. 15, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZQM Iwvewflor Oct. 1,' 1935. Q Q BANNISTER 2,016,066

WELL DRILLING DEVICE Filed Nov. 15, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 123.2.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 aws C. E. BANNISTER WELL DRILLING DEVICE Filed Nov. 15, 1933 Oct. 1, 1935.

CZ iz'fornqya other disadvantages.

tempts to overcome or remedy this serious dim-- Patented Oct. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELL panama mzvrcn Clyde E. Bannister, Akron, Ohio Application November 15, 1933, Serial No. 698,140- 11 Claims. (01. ass-as) The invention of the present application relates to the drilling of deep wells or bores, such as and improved apparatus or device for use in such drilling,

Heretofore,'in all methods of drilling, as the tools have worked their way downwardly in the bore which they are forming, there has been a tendency for said tools to crawl, or in other words to depart or deviate from a perpendicular descent and form inclined or crooked holes or bores. In many cases this crawling has resulted in the bore or hole of one driller entering the property and frequently crossing the bore of another driller. This frequently results in destroying both bores and necessitating abandonment of the crossed bores, with resultant expense, and

There havebeen many ateulty, but so far as I am aware, nonehave succeeded, prior to my entry into this field, in desquarely, and once the drill hasleft its vertical descent the tendency has been for the drill to increase the deviation or "crawl rather than to return to its normal or original perpendicular position.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, is the provision of deep well drilling apparatus which will automatically insure a vertical descent of the cutting, drilling, or boring tool, and which will reduce the tendency to crawl.

The advantages and results attained by this straight drilling are manifold, and will be instantly appreciated and understood by those skilled in this art.

Another feature of the invention is the reduction of power required or necessary to operate the cutting tools. I accomplish this advantageous result by utilizing an inertia barrel or sleeve of considerable weight adjacent the lower end of the drill stern, said drill stem being freely 17otatable within said barrel. Thus the torque of the drill stem is not transmitted to the inertia barrel, thereby greatly reducing the power which would'be required were theinertia barrel rotatable with the drill stem.

' pull to the surface of the ground, rather than The drilling of a straight hole or bore lessens the likelihood of caving, and simplifies the withdrawal and replacement of the drill stem or cutting tools, there being a substantially straight 5 an inclined pull, or a pull around bends. I also increase the speed of drilling, as by my present novel apparatus I am enabled to apply any desired weight on the boring tools without materially increasing the powerrequired to operate 9 said tools.

It will be apparent from a glance at the drawings, and from the description which follows, that my novel apparatus functions in the nature of 15 an automatic plumb bob, constantly seeking a vertical descent, and if, in its descent, the bit should be deflected from its vertical descent, my novel device will exert a constant tendency to return the bit to its vertical descent. 20

Because of the inertia barrel which I utilize in my present device, the rotary drill stem will be even further discouraged from crawling than if a rotary leaded or weighted barrel were utilized,

.The tendency of rotary drill stems and tools to tween this combined ball and socket and universal joint and the bit is positioned a heavy, preferably leaded, inertia barrel of considerable weight. The tiltable drill stem extends downwardly through said barrel, and is rotatably 40 mounted on bearings located at predetermined or desired intervals throughout the length of the interior of said barrel. This inertia barrel is suspended from the lower end of the rigid-drill stem by a second ball and socket joint, so that it is freely suspended therefrom, and will thus always tend to hang straight, because of its weight, or in other words, to function in a manner similar to a plumb bob, at the same time conveying this important characteristic or tendency to the tiltable drill stem which rotates therein and consequently to'the bit or boring tool itself.

By the novel combined ball and socket and universal joint illustrated herein, the torque of the carrying stem, without the use of a clutch, thus affording a positive drive. v

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of novel means for conveying the flushing fluid to the bottom of the bore to flush away the cuttings of the bit or tool.

Another disadvantage with present rigid drill stems consists in the fact that each drill stem section is threaded to its adjacent sections.. Thus, in making up or breaking down a drill stem, it is necessary to unthread each of these sections, or desired numbers of sections. Furthermore, with a threaded drill stem there is the constant likelihood of the sections becoming unthreaded while in the bore, necessitating extensive and tedious fishing operations to recoverthe balance of the stem remaining inthe bore. I

Another object of my invention, therefore, resides in the provision of a novel joint between the pipe sections, so that in making up a drill stem it is only necessary to drop a drill stem section into the cooperating end of the next lower section, and in breaking down the drill stem no unthreading operation is necessary, each section simply being lifted out of the next lower section.

A further feature of the present invention, and one which is particularly adaptable with the type of drill stem last described, although it is equally advantageous with other types of rigid drill stems,

resides in the provision of means adjacent to the lower end of the drill stem to support the weight of the drill stem, which, in a deep bore, is tremendous. By separately supporting theweight of the drill stem, the drill stem is required only to carry out its two functions of transmitting torque from the power medium on the surface to the bit and conveying the flushing fluid. This permits the use of a much lighter drill stem that would be required if the stem itself were required to carry its own weight in addition to transmitting torque.

Other features and objects of the invention reside in the particular construction of various portions of my device.

The above and. other objects and features of the invention, details of construction, combination of parts, and advantages, will be hereinafter more fully Pointed out, described, and

claimed. 7

Referring to the drawings, illustrating preferred embodimeants of the present invention,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating my novel device;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device, on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fi 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;-

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 6- of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a-side elevation of the complete apparatus in position in a well bore;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the ball portion of the universaljoi'nt; a

Fig. 9 isa side elevation of the combined universal joint and ball and socket;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectionaiview illustrating a modification of fluid transmission, wherein the fluid passage is continuous through the tool hold- Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line i 2--l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12, and

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view on the line 5 I4|4 of Fig. 12.

Referring now to the drawings for a particular description of the invention, its construction, assembly and operation, my novel apparatus comprises a rigid drill stem consisting of a plu- 10 rality of sections, such as l and 2, united by suitable couplings 3 .and rotated or-driven from a suitable source of power, preferably above ground. On the lower section 2, as illustrated in Fig. 7, I preferably provide guiding means, such as the 15 guiding fins 4, which may be formed integral with the drill stem section 2 or which may be formed on a separate sleeve surrounding said stem section. The fins 4 are of suflicient length and extent to guide the section 2 in the bore 5 and to 20 retain the finned portion of the stem in the'center of said bore.

The lowermost section 2 of the rigid drill stem is threaded, and l es secured thereto one portion 6 of a socket member, the other section or por- 25 tion 1 of said socket member being secured to the portion 6 by screws 8, 8. Adapted to rock in the socket member composed of the sections 6 and 1, is a ball member 9 carrying the shafts l0 and H of a universal joint structure. The shaft It! has 30 hearings in the ball member 9, and the shaft II has bearings in cooperating grooves l2 and H in the sections 6 and 1 respectively. Through the medium of the shaft or pin H, the torque of the drill stem will be transmitted to the ball mem- 35 her 9.

Depending from the ball member 9 is a hollow threaded stem H, to which is threaded another drill stem section I5 having a recess l6 therein from which extend radial channels II. The lower 40 end of the stem l5 also has a recess i8 therein from which extend radial channels I9. Threaded or otherwise secured to the bottom of the stem section I 5 is the pin joint 20 of a rotary tool joint,

2. box joint 2| being threaded to the pin joint, and 45 a bit or other cutting instrumentality or tool being threaded to the box joint 2|.

A channel 23 is formed through the pin joint 20, communicating with a channel 24 in the bit 22 which, in turn, communicates with apertures 25 50 adjacent the cutting edges of the bit 22. Fluid forced through the device and out through the apertures 25 will thus exert considerable pressure and force at the bottom of the bore, flushing away the cuttings from the blades of the bit and forc- 55 ing the same upwardly through the bore outside of the drilling device and drill stem.

Depending from the 'ball member 8 is a'socket member 26' and secured thereto in any desirable manner, as by the threaded joint illustrated, is a 0 leaded barrel 21, of considerable weight. The leaded barrel, through the medium of the socket member 25, is loosely suspended from the drill stem and is tiltable relatively thereto. The drill stem section I 5 is freely rotatable within the bar- 5 rel 21, having bearing points throughout the length of said barrel, as at 28, 28. Thus the barrel 21 is stationary, relative to the stem l5, and the only torque required is that necessary torotate the said stem IS, the stationary or inertia barrel 70 21 eliminating the necessity of any power being transmitted thereto, and thus requiring considerably less power to operate the device than would The barrel 2! has a pair of grooves 29 and 30 therein, communicating, respectively, with the, channels I! and I 9, and through the barrel 2'! extend channels 3| which are in communication with the grooves 29 and 39. Thus, fluid'will pass through the channels I! into the groove 29, through the channels 3|, into the groove 30 and back into the channels I9, thus afiordinga continuous channel or passage for the flushing fluid.

Formed on the socket member 26 and barrel 21 are a plurality of fins or ribs 32, extending substantially throughout the length of the barrel and socket member, providing great weight while permitting the drilling fluid to fiow upward, between the ribs 32, to wash the cuttings. from the well,

.Any tendency on the part of the bit or tool 22 to crawl, or otherwise deviate from a. vertical descending course will be automatically overcome by the considerable weight of the leaded inertia barrel, which will constantly have a tendency to right itself and hang perpendicular from the ball memher 6 at the bottom of the rigid drill stem.

Also, should the tool 22 encounter a boulder or other obstruction in its descent, and glance oil therefrom, thus being deflected from its straight downward course, the weight of the leaded inertia barrel, and the free hanging thereof, coupled with the free hanging of the tool-carrying portion I5 of the drill-stem, will automatically work the tool back to its original straight descent or cutting course. Thus a bore drilled formed with my novel apparatus will have subs antially 'a straight course from the surface of the ground to the bottom of the bore, with a minimum of bends or curves therein, a feature which is not possible of achievement or attainment with' any other rot-ating, rigid drill stem and bit of which I am aware.

' The fluishing fluid travels down the hollow interior 33 of the drill stem sections and into the hollow interior 34 of the combined socket and ball member 6 Thence it will pass through the spaces orchannels 35 formed in the ball member 9, around the shaft I I, whence it follows the course above described;

In Fig. 10 I have illustrated a modification of this fluid course, wherein the stem section I5 has a continuous bore or channel 36 therethrough, through which the flu d will have a direct passage to the apertures 25 in the bit or tool 22, the'form illustrated inFig. I9 being relatively inexpensive and simple to manufacture.

Th preferable method of assembling the ball member 9 and the shaft I0 and I I of the universal joint would be to first insert the shaft II in the yoked end of the ball member 9, and then drive the shaft or pin-l0 through a suitable aperture provided in the hub 31.

The use of the universal joint with the centering means above it and the heavy plumb-bob barrel below it provides for the drilling of a substantially straight hole even ,though sections of the drill pipe above the assembly be in a state of compression with the attendant leaning of such sections, and thus the assembly as described permits the supporting of the series of sections of drill pipe from below and consequently permits the use of slip-joints instead of.

the usual threaded couplings between the sections of pipe.

In Figs. 11 to 14 inclusive I have illustrated my novel drill stem joint, as well as the novel cable suspension for a rigid drill stem. As clearly shown in Fig. 12, the upper end of each drill stem section 40 is flared as at 4|, being provided with a plurality of inclined keyways 42 in which are splined the keys 43 on the lower end of each drill stem section 40-. The extreme lower outside edge of each drill stem section is tapered, as illustrated at 44, and is provided with a coating 45 of rubber or other suitable cushioning material, adapted to 5 form a water-tight seat against the inclined inner face 46 of the upper end 4|. Thus, in making up a drill stem, it is only necessary for operators to drop a drill stem section into the flared end of the next lower drill stem section, the joined portions of these sections automatically forming water-tight seals, and the splines 43 in the keyways 42 constituting torque transmission means. In breaking down a drill stem, when removing same from the bore, as for the purpose of replacing a boring tool, it is only necessary to pull the sections apartas they emerge from the bore instead of going through the tedious unthreading operations theretofore required. 20 A joint of the type illustrated and described herein also obviates and eliminates the possibility of the separation of drill stem sections in the bore due to unthreading thereof, as has frequently occurred with the customary threaded type of rigid drill stem.

In order to provide adequate support for the drill stem sections 49 and prevent their separation longitudinally, I provide a swivel which constitutes an annulus 41, provided with a pair 30 of handles 48, these handles being adapted to receive the lower ends of cables 49 which are secured to said handles in any desired manner. The annulus 41 is provided with a vertical flange 59 which constitutes one-half of an anti-friction 35 bearing, the other half of said bearing being formed in a threaded collar 5| which is threaded on the upper end of the drill stem section 52, being held against displacement by a lock nut 64. The inner portion of the upper end of the 40 section 52 is constructed identically with the upper end of each of the sections 49 to receive the splined lower end of the next adjacent section. The collar 5| is provided at its outer edge with a depending lip 53, said lip projectingdownwardly outside of the flange 59 to constitute a water-tight joint for the anti-friction bearing 54. A collar 65 is formed on the section 52- to limit downward movement of the annulus 41 and insure a tight joint at the bearing 54 to prevent the entrance of mud or other foreign matter.

Thus the rigid drill stem may rotate upon the annulus 41 without effecting a twisting of the cables 49. The section 52 is. provided with fins or ribs 55 to maintain .the ball end 56 of the section 55 52 centrally in the bore being formed. A socket member 5'! rides on the ball end 56 in exactly the same manner as described for the ball portion I and socket member 26. All of the drill stem sections are provided with central longitu 60 dinally extending bores constituting a fluid conducting passage 58, the fluid conducted through the passage 58 flushing .out the cuttings at the bottom of the bore and at the same time constituting a cooling element for the bit 59. The cables 49 extend vertically through the bore Eli and over the guiding idlers 66 located beneath the derrick floor 61, thence ascending and being taken up on the hoist drum 63 which is operated from any suitable source of power, as 70 will be readily understood. The cable suspension and swivel arrangement illustrated therein is equally adaptable for use with rigid drill stems of the.threaded joint type. and will perform an important function in combination therewith.

ing imposed upon the bit 59, and he can so control this weight on the bit 59 that only the weight from below the swivel 41 will be borne by the bit. This-will enable the use of a much lighter when uncoupling same.

drill stem, since the. sole function of the drill stem is then to transmit torque, whereas previously the drill stem had, to be oi! sufilcient strength to support its tremendous weight. I 'he guidi g idlers 66 are located under the derrick floor 61 so that they will not interfere with the rotary 68, which is here illustrated in conventional form, the drill stem sections projecting upwardly through the rotary. A separate cable or line 69 is utilized, together with lifting tongs 10, or the like, to handle the drill stem sections The cable 69 runs over the crown block St on the derrick 62 and from thence toa suitable drum 1 l.

While I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat in detail, itwill'be appreciated that it is possible to vary the size, shape, and arrangement of parts within reasonably wide limits without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Well-drilling'apparatus comprising supporting means at the top of the well, suspension means extending downward therefrom intothe well, means near and closely confined to "the region of the lower end of said suspension means for substantially centering the same in the well, an elongated member having universal-hinge connection to the suspension means immediately below said centering means and of such mass as to provide by its weight a substantial drilling pressure, and a full-gauge-well-drilling bit mounted at the lower end of the said weight member.

2. Well-drilling apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which the suspension means is a drill pipe adapted to transmit torque from the top of the well to the bit and in which the bit member is connected thereto by a torque-transmitting universal joint.

31 Well d'rilling apparatus comprising a torquetransmitting drillpipe, a full-gauge well-drilling rotative bit, an. elongated, pendulous member interposed operatively between the two and of such mass as to provide by its weight a substantial drilling pressure, the bit having torque-transmitting universal joint connection to the drill pipe, and centering means on the drill pipe assembly immediately above the said connection and of an efiective diameter at least as great as that of any part of the structure below'the said connection except that or the bit.

4. Drilling apparatus comprising substantially rigid suspension means adapted to be lowered in a well, an elongatedmember having hinged connection to said suspension means and of such mass as to provide by its weight a substantial drilling pressure, a iull-gauge-well-drilling rotative bit having connection to said suspension 7 means and directionally controlled by the said weight member acting in the manner of a plumbbob, and centering means on the suspension means assembly immediately above the said hinged conmotion and of an eflfective diameter at least as great as that of any part of the structure below the said connection except that of the bit.

5. Well-drilling apparatus of the kind described, comprising a rigid drill-pipe assembly, a boring tool, a member providing universal-joint drive connection between said assembly and said tool, and a weight in which the said connecting mem- 5 her is journaled, the said weight being adapted to act in the manner of a plumb-bob'for directing the tool.

6. Well drilling apparatus 01' the kind described, comprising a rigid drill-pipe assembly, a driving 10 and fluid-conducting universal joint on the lower end thereof, a stationary barrel with relation to which the universal joint is rotatably but nonslidably mounted, a tool carry stem having driving connection to the drill-pipe assembly through 15 said universal joint and a boring tool mounted on said tool-carrying stem.

7. Well-drilling apparatus comprising a rigid drill-pipe assembly of the rotary type comprising a series of connected fluid-conducting long 20 and rigid sections, a swivel joint surrounding said assembly adjacent to its lower end, flexible supporting means fixed to said swivel joint, means for rotating the assembly within said swivel joint independently of rotative movement of said flexi- 5 ble supporting means, and a rotary bit mounted on said stem.

8. Well-drilling apparatus comprising a plurality of rotarydrill-pipe sections, each section being splined to adjacent sections and adapted 30 for sealed, final and complete mating therewith wholly by simple axial thrust, flexible'means to support the section assembly from adjacent to its lower end during the drilling operation, a bit mounted on the lowermost of said sections, 35 and means for rotating at least the assembly of drill pipe sections while they are so supported.

9. Well-drilling apparatus comprising a plurality of hollow rotary drill-pipe sections, each section being splined to adjacent sections and 40 adapted for final and complete mating therewith wholly by simple axial thrust, resilient means constituting a water-tight joint between the ends of adjacent sections, flexible means to support said drill stem from adjacent to its lower end, 45 and a bit mounted on the lowermost of said sections.

10. Well-drilling apparatus comprising a plu:

- rality of hollow rotary drill-pipe. sections, each section being splined to adjacent sections and adapted for final and complete mating therewith by simple axial thrust, resilient means "constituting a water-tight joint between the ends of adjacent sections, flexible means to support said drill stem from adjacent to its lower end, means to permit rotation of said drill stem independently of said flexible supporting means, and a bit mounted on the lowermost 01' said sections.

11.Well drilling apparatus comprising a plurality of pipe sections provided -at their ends with plug-and-socket members adapted to mate finally and completely by direct axial movement without rotation, said sections being assembled in a conduit structure in the well and being wholly unencumbered by helically threaded members, 65 flexible means extending downward into the well and having connection to the said structure below at least one of said sections for supporting the same, and a rotary well-drilling device mounted on the lower end of said conduit structure.

CLYDE E. BANNIS'I'ER. 

